It’s the spookiest date on our calendar: 31st October, when the kids dress up as skeletons and witches to go Trick or Treating, pumpkin sales go through the roof, and the TV channels are filled with re-runs of classic scary movies. But do any of us really know what Halloween is all about?

Halloween is a lot like the Dracula myth; there are a number of different stories that when all mixed together give us the Halloween we celebrate today. After much research on the web, the most common explanation is that it derives from Celtic time and the celebration of ‘summer’s end’; now enter Welsh and Scottish folklore, which claim it is the time for supernatural encounters and that’s where we have our modern day excuse to dress up and frighten each other half to death!

Hire a car in the USA and you can head for the New York Village Halloween Parade! Sixth Avenue is taken over by people dressed up in crazy costumes and puppeteers, and the theme has a projection of an eyeball put into the night’s sky. The parade takes from two to four hours and has been tipped as one of the best festivals in the world!

Here in the UK you can head to London and jump on a scary boat trip at the Canal Museum or join in with the spooky fun at the London Dungeons. One for the kids is Lego land in Manchester, from the 15th to 31st of this month you can build your very own mini Frankenstein and take a special Halloween factory tour!

There are a few strange traditions out there that are worth a mention! In Germany it is customary to put all knives away on Halloween night, as the living do not want to risk hurting returning spirits, and in Poland all doors and windows are left open so as to welcome the roaming night spirits.

What will you be doing to celebrate this year’s Halloween?

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At the start of this crazy, blistering hot Indian Summer I’m all set: my mind is so sane and my body is so… otherwise, that I’m going to fight for my fitness in a race through the city, with the major landmarks as goals. But it’s going down Richard-style, as I’m not one to endure pain without rewards to keep me focused.

First rule of my marathon: I’m allowed to cheat whenever I want to. The ends may justify my means, because it’s an ever so special predicament I’ll be throwing myself at when I start this crazy running around course through some of the most emblematic places in London.

Emblematic, as in… Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

I know we usually tend to try and make it easier on you, by saying which places are worthy of visiting by car hire in the UK or everywhere else around the globe, but this is no tale of comfort and air conditioning around London. This will be all about dedication, sweat and blisters on my precious little (size 9) feet.

Everyone knows that stretching the good old muscles is one of the most important parts of physical exercise. And the same should go, in analogy, when one’s visiting a city with so much to offer that one will have a difficult time choosing where to start. One should start, then, easily, steadily, before going full-steam.

Don’t just take my word for it: Greenwich is beautiful!

Where should that be, but right from 0º longitude? I mean Greenwich, obviously, which has a delightful park where one can warm the running engines up and still get in touch with a bit of history while marvelling at the surrounding sights.

Even though its main walking route is part of the Thames National Trail Path, which runs along the Thames all the way to Charlton, I would never dare run the entire thing – at least not without the right incentives, but I’ll write more about those later on, this is just the first instalment.

Now, if you’re not in the mood for running and actually do hire a car in London, Greenwich is just one of those places I’d heartily recommend. Get there by car and then enjoy a short walk around the aforementioned delightful park or even take the boat for the ultimate sightseeing experience on the Thames.

The Tower Bridge is always a beaut’

Did I mention that I could cheat on my marathon? I know it’s not in true Olympic spirit, but it’s for a good cause… because I do intend to try the boat, which I never did before. How can someone live all these years in this city, yet not have tried this? Any visitor should try it, at least once.

One gets the chance to see the London Eye, the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge – all from one of the most priviledged places. One of the most, because the most priviledged is the one I’ll be taking: on foot, because I intend to include those landmarks in my adventure through the city.

My pledge for the 2012 Olympics is to show everyone just how fantastic London can be for a visitor coming in. I’ll do the reconnaissance mission and pinpoint all the can’t miss places you can after explore lazily leisurely in the comfort of your car hire in London. We have a great event coming up, just how fit and up to par are we all to receive all the people? Keep posted to find out!

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It seems the sun hasn’t had enough yet; it wants to linger just a while longer and allow you to make the most of any kind of holiday you’ll be venturing in. Whether it be a weekend break or a few more days along the sunny Southern coast, consider booking a car hire in Malaga to kickstart your travels.

September marks the beginning of a great season along Costa del Sol: the weather is still warm enough for people to enjoy spending the days outdoors but not so warm as to leave you breathless and craving liquids every 5 seconds. It is the ideal time to discover and have fun at the region’s most incredible festivals and fairs!

Although having a Spain hire car on your trail may not be the most handy through the city streets, it certainly will be helpful to hop from city to city with ease. From pilgrimages, celebration of patron saints, harvests, there is no stopping the festivities!

Barcelona is better known as the home of the most incredible art work from Gaudi, where it is possible to admire the Sagrada Familia church or Casa Mila, other examples of amazing and quite peculiar architectural buildings.

However, at the end of September, it also hosts La Merce Festival, an event which this year begins next Thursday, 22th September, and lasts for about five days filled with many activities and celebrations in honour of Mare de Deu de La Merce, the city’s patron saint. Since 1902, this has been the way the locals have found to bid farewell to the summer and welcome Autumn’s chiller months and what a feast this one is: if interested, check the official festival programme, also available in English!

Heading with your car hire in Barcelona during this time may again not be the best solution to venture around the crowded streets but don’t let that stop you from using your own hired vehicle for other drives around the region. Whatever your plans, make sure to have a memorable time!

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New Zealand is a bit out of the way as far as tourist destinations go, but being on the other side of the planet should not be a deterrent to visiting a place, provided that place is supplied with such commodities as would make the trip worth it. And New Zealand certainly does not lack for attractions.

In fact, you’ll be glad to know that visiting New Zealand so late in the holiday season has no downsides, if you remember that being in the Southern Hemisphere means it’s the middle of winter there, and September and October will be far warmer and drier months than August would’ve proved to be. In fact, this is the perfect time to travel down under, just in time for 2011 World Rugby Cup, which is taking place from September 9th to October 23th.

If you’re no big fan of rugby – though who isn’t! – you will still have plenty to see and discover in a country full of amazing landscapes, cosmopolitan cities and one of the best standards of living in the world. Pick up a car hire in Auckland and start by exploring this diverse and multicultural city, home to the largest Polynesian community in the world.

The Auckland skyline is punctuated not only by skyscrapers but also by a number of volcanic cones, giving it a very distinctive and unique look. If you visit the top of Mount Eden, the highest natural point in the city, you’ll be rewarded by stunning sights of the city all around you. With your New Zealand car hire, you can easily leave Auckland and explore the North Island.

Napier is as good a destination as any, being of particular interest to Art Deco lovers, owing to its amazing architecture. Wellington is also a mandatory stop, and for better reasons that simply because it’s the country’s capital. The city boasts an active and lively art scene, and you’ll also be able to take a tour of some of the sceneries used in famous blockbusters, such as the Lord of the Rings movies, King Kong and Avatar.

Have you ever been to New Zealand? Tell us all about your travel stories!

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Northern Spain is where you can run with the bulls. In the city of Pamplona they hold the annual San Fermin festival, which takes place from July 6-14. The festival is held in honour of Saint Fermin, the co-patron of Navarre. Throughout the week, there are many activities that take place, with the most famous of them all being the Pamplona Bull Run!

If you are looking to join in with the world’s largest food fight, then head to a little town called Bunyol, near Valencia. La Tomatina festival is held on the last Wednesday in August, with the tomato fight normally taking place between 11am and 1pm. Don’t worry about washing off after the event, if you take a walk down to Bunyol River you will find some public showers.

 
On September 24th, the streets of Barcelona are taken over by the celebration of the city’s patron: the Virgin de la Merce. There are parades of giant wooden figures, sporting events, live music performances and fantastic firework displays. The festival’s official name is Festes de la Merce. One activity to watch is the building of a human tower. Yes, you heard correctly: a human tower! There is a competition held each year, on which groups of people try to form the highest human tower.

When you have had enough of the festival madness why not enjoy the Spanish sun and see a little more of this stunning country? You could drive your hire car in Madrid, or head for the coastline of the Costa del Sol!

Have you been to any of the above festivals? Any funny festival stories to share?

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A few years back, I took a trip to the United States on the week leading up to the 4th of July and decided I should make it a theme holiday, going around to historic locations connected with the war for American Independence.

I picked up a car hire at Boston Airport and quickly found my hotel, where the manager kindly informed me that, in order to make sure I didn’t miss any historic goodies, I simply had to follow the Freedom Trail, a red brick path that guides you to most historic sites.

Not quite a yellow brick road, but close enough to catch my fancy. If only I had packed my ruby slippers… It’s worth noting that the tour was very kind on my budget. Most sites didn’t have an admission fee, even though many asked for a small donation. I particularly liked Dorchester Heights, from where you get to admire Boston, as well as see the famous Harbour, where the revolutionaries dumped all that very pricey English tea.

I also visited Faneuil Hall, sometimes called the Cradle of Independence, due to the fact some of the first speeches urging it were uttered inside its walls. Paul Revere House and the Old South Meeting House were also some of the places I remember the most from all those I visited.

After Boston, I took my car hire to Philadelphia, a city which also played a central role in American Independence. Independence Hall was an obvious stop, even if I wasn’t such a big fan of the movie National Treasure! I also saw the famous Liberty Bell, and spent an afternoon exploring the Franklin Institute.

And even though it was a bit off my Independence theme, I also visited the home of Edgar Allan Poe, just because it was too good an opportunity to pass on! I was still in Philly on the 4th of July and it was a total riot! I attended a barbecue with some friends, watched a parade and admired the amazing fireworks all over the city!

All in all, a totally unforgettable holiday! What about you? Ever been on the US for the 4th of July? Tell us all about it!

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Italy
In Rome Xmas eve is probably more important than Xmas day. Families attend midnight mass after first gathering for dinner. Traditionally the meal is meat free so consists of several types of fish, with starters of anti-pasta. Each region varies in its traditions so some may have spinach & ricotta ravioli. Christmas Day dinner goes on for hours! Starters of anti pasta or Parma ham, then filled pasta. Next is the roast with an abundance of vegetables followed by sponge cake. As is the case in most countries, the left overs get used up on Boxing day. My favourite part of the Italian Xmas tradition is that the children do not write letters to santa asking for expensive gifts but rather write a letter to their parents telling them how much they love them.

If you are planning on spending xmas in Italy, make sure you book your car hire in Rome early.

France
In France there are celebrations on Xmas eve when they have a long dinner party. Traditionally they go to church and then have the meal when they get home, after which they open the presents. The meal consits of fish, crepes, 7 meatless dishes, 13 deserts(symbolising Jesus and the 12 apostles), roast game or fowl(served after midnight), cheeses and regional wines. This will vary depending on the region, so in Burgundy they will feast on turkey and chestnuts whereas in Paris they are more likely to be eating oysters and pate de foie gras! It goes without saying that the Xmas day dinner is slightly less grand .

Spending a romantic xmas in France, don’t forget your car hire in Paris to make your trip complete.

Spain
Xmas eve is when families get together for a feast eaten late in the evening and lasts for hours. Gifts are not exchanged though, this is done on Epiphany – 6th January. A typical Spanish menu would be tapas to start. The first course could be fish soup, white asparagus or seafood pasta. Main course is roast meat or poultry with roast potatoes and salad. Desert is traditional Spanish sweets and biscuits. There are so many regions in Spain, like France, so each one will have its own signature dishes.

Travelling to Spain this xmas? Book your car hire in Madrid now to avoid missing out!

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The tradition was started when on 5th November 1605 the inhabitants of London were encouraged to light bonfires to celebrate the fact that the king had escaped being blown up. Until 1859 it was a day of thanksgiving, shame it was abolished, we could have had an extra bank holiday! Guy Fawkes was only one of 13 people involved in the plot but it is his name that has been remembered most.

The fireworks were added to the celebrations around 1650. The burning of an effigy started in 1673 when the Duke of York, who was heir to the throne, became a catholic and upset his subjects. The original effigy was hence of the Pope, but latterly it is Guy Fawkes or just who ever is unpopular at the time!

In recent years, due to safety concerns, it has been more popular to have big organised events. These are held all over the country and there is bound to be one near you. What could be better on a cold winters evening than being wrapped up in a warm jacket by a nice warm fire, eating a baked potato and wathcing a spectacular firework display? No, it isn’t just for the kids, us adults enjoy it too!

If you are having fireworks at home, please remember to follow the safety precautions and stay safe.

Have a good bonfire night!

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Ireland
Children get dressed up in scary costumes and spend the evening “trick-or-treating” in their neighborhoods collecting bags of goodies for their Halloween party. At the parties, they play “snap-apple,” a game in which an apple on a string is tied to a doorframe or tree and players try to bite the hanging apple.

England
Children create “punkies” out of large beets (which they call beetroots), upon which they cut a design of their choice. Then, they carry their “punkies” through the streets while singing songs as they knock on doors and ask for money and candies.

Austria
The tradition is to leave bread, water and a lighted lamp on the table before the Halloween night to welcome the dead souls back to earth.

Mexico
A three day celebration to honor the dead who are believed return to their earthly homes on Halloween. Many families make an altar in their homes to remember deceased relatives and decorate it with candies, flowers, photographs, samples of their relatives favorite foods and drinks and fresh water.

Where are you from? Tell us about your country’s traditions to celebrate Halloween.

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Watch the cities buildings light up the night sky with fantastic colours. Famous landmarks that sparkle, coloured lasers beaming through the midnight sky and fireworks that illuminate the city landscape. Be sure to take your camera so that you can snap away whilst enjoying the joyous atmosphere.

It truly is a spectacular sight that kids and grown ups will enjoy.

With cheap flights from all main UK airport’s, a wide choice of accommodation and  car hire in Berlin, it’s a perfect short break getaway!

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